1. Starter What is the message of this source? Who do you think wrote it?
“Like a plague overlooked by incompetent doctors, the new political order, called communism, spread... With the power of guns, few communists and mutual agreement of the Allies, Communist Russia became the new ruler over the country. What followed was the systematic destruction of democracy, by terror, murder, corruption, lies and propaganda. People died, were arrested, deported. The luckiest ones fled the country. The rest of them entered a dark era.”
What is the message of this source?
Who do you think wrote it?
When?
Why do you think this?

2. Homework Task – How did the USSR gain control of Eastern Europe by 1948?
It is 1948.
Produce a briefing paper to update President Truman on the situation in Eastern Europe. Your report should include:
The communist successes in eastern Europe between 1945 and 1948 and the reasons for them
Stalin’s plan for eastern Europe and his reasons
The methods being used by Stalin to control eastern Europe
Whether or not you think that America should be worried.

3. Learning Objectives – Learning Outcomes –
To understand how Stalin extended his influence over Eastern Europe
To understand what is meant by the term ‘Salami Tactics’
Learning Outcomes –
All will have a briefing paper for President Truman on the situation in eastern Europe.
All will have a response to 2 source questions, showing knowledge of Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe.

4. Recap… Why did East and West have a massive mistrust of each other?
To the West, Stalin appeared to be little more than a merciless predator; to Stalin, the West appeared to be laying the foundations for a strong Germany – something he feared more than anything else.
Who was right? Why?

5. The iron Curtain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8_wQ-5uxV4
To protect Eastern Europe from the West, in 1946 Stalin built the iron curtain, a 1600km fence cutting off the communist countries of the East from the non communist West.
At some points, the ‘curtain’ became a series of fences protected by razor wire, dog runs, photo electric beams, remote controlled weapons and guard towers.
The most famous example of the Iron Curtain was the Berlin Wall. However, this was not built until 1961

6. What was Stalin’s fear?
In December 1946, Britain and USA agreed to unite their zones in Germany for economic purposes. In January 1947, Bizonia was created. This later became known as ‘West Germany’. But in the Soviet Union it was greeted with fury. He felt that the West was insensitive to his needs and had not asked his permission to rebuild Germany.

7. Why did Stalin takeover the East?
1. To spread communism
2. To create a ‘buffer’ zone of friendly states which would offer protection against the West
3. To absorb the wealth and natural resources from these areas, such as wood and metals.

8. Task
1945
Read page 76 in Walsh.
Record the events of Stalin’s takeover of eastern Europe, from
Put the countries in the order of their falling to communism.
1948

9. Task 1945 1945 – Albania. The Communists immediately took power
1945 – Bulgaria
1945 – East Germany
1947 – Romania
1947 – Poland
1947 – Hungary
Czechoslovakia
1948
The Hungarian Communist Rakosi described this process as ‘slicing salami’ – gradually getting rid of all opposition, bit-by-bit. In this way, Russia gained control of the East

10. Using your timeline, what factors helped the Communists take power?
Executing leaders of other political parties (Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia)
Take over the police, set up a new, brutal police force, and terrorise non communists (Hungary)
Using your timeline, what factors helped the Communists take power?
Persuade political parties to join with the communists.
(Albania)
Arrest all non-communist leaders and force others out of the country (Poland)

11. In this cartoon, the robber labelled ‘Russia’ is stealing a bag labelled ‘territorial grabs’. He is being helped by Stalin, who says: ‘It’s all right – he’s with me!’ Policeman Truman, from the 'World League Police Station' says: ‘Oh, OK!’.
What is the message of this cartoon?
This American cartoon is from 1946.

12. What can you see? What does it suggest? Meaning
In this cartoon, the robber labelled ‘Russia’ is stealing a bag labelled ‘territorial grabs’. He is being helped by Stalin, who says: ‘It’s all right – he’s with me!’ Policeman Truman, from the 'World League Police Station' says: ‘Oh, OK!’.
A robber labelled ‘Russia’ is making ‘territorial grabs’.
What does it suggest?
Theft is an anti-social act – the cartoonist is labelling Russia’s actions as anti-social/ criminal.
Meaning
Russia’s ‘salami tactics’ to expand its influence in eastern Europe are aggressive and criminal, and amount merely to empire-building.
This American cartoon is from 1946.

13. What can you see? What does it suggest? Meaning
In this cartoon, the robber labelled ‘Russia’ is stealing a bag labelled ‘territorial grabs’. He is being helped by Stalin, who says: ‘It’s all right – he’s with me!’ Policeman Truman, from the 'World League Police Station' says: ‘Oh, OK!’.
Policeman Stalin is helping the thief; is smiling in a smug, self-satisfied way.
What does it suggest?
Stalin is abusing his position – and a corrupt policeman is especially despicable.
Meaning
Stalin was one of the Big Three, who was supposed to be securing the peace of the world – instead he is taking advantage of his power in eastern Europe to increase Russia’s power.
This American cartoon is from 1946.

14. What can you see? What does it suggest? Meaning
In this cartoon, the robber labelled ‘Russia’ is stealing a bag labelled ‘territorial grabs’. He is being helped by Stalin, who says: ‘It’s all right – he’s with me!’ Policeman Truman, from the 'World League Police Station' says: ‘Oh, OK!’.
Stalin carries a truncheon.
What does it suggest?
A truncheon is a weapon of assault. He is almost ‘daring’ Truman to do something to stop him.
Meaning
This is a suggestion that Russia is conquering eastern Europe by force, and by threat of force.
He is challenging the West.
This American cartoon is from 1946.

15. What can you see? What does it suggest? Meaning
In this cartoon, the robber labelled ‘Russia’ is stealing a bag labelled ‘territorial grabs’. He is being helped by Stalin, who says: ‘It’s all right – he’s with me!’ Policeman Truman, from the 'World League Police Station' says: ‘Oh, OK!’.
The ‘World League Police Station’.
What does it suggest?
The ‘World League Police Station’. = the fledgling United Nations.
Meaning
There is a fear here that the UN is going to be as weak and ineffective as the League of Nations had been.
This American cartoon is from 1946.

16. What can you see? What does it suggest? Meaning
In this cartoon, the robber labelled ‘Russia’ is stealing a bag labelled ‘territorial grabs’. He is being helped by Stalin, who says: ‘It’s all right – he’s with me!’ Policeman Truman, from the 'World League Police Station' says: ‘Oh, OK!’.
President Truman turns up late. He is weak and dithery, and allows Stalin to continue.
What does it suggest?
Weak and dithery = - ineffectual and uncertain.
Meaning
This is a huge criticism of Truman whom, the cartoonist asserts, is not fulfilling his role as world’s policeman, and is simply allowing Russia to deprive the countries of eastern Europe of their freedom.
This American cartoon is from 1946.

17. Origin Details Significance An American cartoonist.
In this cartoon, the robber labelled ‘Russia’ is stealing a bag labelled ‘territorial grabs’. He is being helped by Stalin, who says: ‘It’s all right – he’s with me!’ Policeman Truman, from the 'World League Police Station' says: ‘Oh, OK!’.
An American cartoonist.
Details
Americans regarded themselves as the defenders – the ‘good policeman’ - of world democracy.
Significance
Although many Americans were still isolationist, there was an increasing feeling that the Soviets were ‘evil’ and that the USA needed to get involved in world affairs to stop them.
This American cartoon is from 1946.

18. Date Details Significance 1946.
In this cartoon, the robber labelled ‘Russia’ is stealing a bag labelled ‘territorial grabs’. He is being helped by Stalin, who says: ‘It’s all right – he’s with me!’ Policeman Truman, from the 'World League Police Station' says: ‘Oh, OK!’.
1946.
Details
… when Soviet power in eastern Europe was growing (perhaps about the time of the Fulton speech).
Significance
This cartoon shows America becoming alarmed by Soviet actions, and ‘getting ready’ to announce the Truman Doctrine.
This American cartoon is from 1946.

19. Model Answer
“The cartoonists message is essentially a call for America to get tougher with Stalin; it is saying that the US needs to adopt what was later called ‘The Truman Doctrine’. The cartoon reflects the growing feeling in the US in 1946 that the USSR is effectively conquering Europe. Stalin – as one of the big 3 – is depicted as a policeman (one of those charged with keeping order in the world) but he is taking advantage of his territorial position by making lots of territorial grabs. The cartoonist is also critical of Truman and the United Nations, who are depicted as weak, dithery and ultimately complicit in Stalin’s expansionism, because they are allowing it.”

20. How similar are these 3 political cartoons?

21. What is the message of this cartoon?
A British cartoon, published June 1947
What is the message of this cartoon?

22. What can I see? What does it suggest? Meaning
The ‘hammer and sickle’ is the flag of the Soviet Union.
A map of Europe showing the Iron Curtain countries in black.
What does it suggest?
Black is the colour of evil and fear.
Meaning
An evil, frightening shadow is creeping across Europe … creeping towards Britain.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist Illingworth was published in June 1947.

23. What can I see? What does it suggest? Meaning
The ‘hammer and sickle’ is the flag of the Soviet Union.
Stalin is stretching across to plant Soviet flags in western Europe.
What does it suggest?
‘Planting the flag’ is a symbol of claiming a territory for an empire.
Meaning
Stalin’s Soviet Union has grown, intends to grow further (and must be stopped).
This cartoon by the British cartoonist Illingworth was published in June 1947.

24. What can I see? What does it suggest? Meaning
The ‘hammer and sickle’ is the flag of the Soviet Union.
Questions marks on Sweden and France.
What does it suggest?
Sweden was next to Finland; France had a strong Communist party.
Meaning
These two countries are in danger of becoming the next countries in the Soviet empire.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist Illingworth was published in June 1947.

25. Origin Details Significance The British cartoonist Illingworth.
The ‘hammer and sickle’ is the flag of the Soviet Union.
The British cartoonist Illingworth.
Details
Illingworth drew for the right-wing newspaper the Daily Mail.
Significance
This cartoon is a Western, anti-Soviet comment, frightening people about the Iron Curtain.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist Illingworth was published in June 1947.

26. Date Details Significance June 1947. At the time of the Marshall Plan.
The ‘hammer and sickle’ is the flag of the Soviet Union.
June 1947.
Details
At the time of the Marshall Plan.
Significance
This cartoon is supporting Marshall’s interpretation that all Europe is in danger of turning communist, and being added to the ‘evil empire’.
This cartoon by the British cartoonist Illingworth was published in June 1947.

27. Homework
How successful was Soviet expansion in Europe by 1948? Explain your answer. (10)

28. Target: AO1 Written communication to be assessed in this question.
Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge 1-2
e.g.. ‘Very, as they dominated.’
Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes expansion 2-4
e.g.. ‘Many soviet satellite states were set up.’
‘Rigged elections resulted in Soviet expansion.’
‘Churchill said the border between East and West was an ‘Iron Curtain’.’
‘They were not successful in Greece.’
Level 3 Explains success OR otherwise of Soviet expansion 4-6
(Developed explanation to be given two marks within L3 and L4).
e.g.. ‘By 1946 Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania had Communist governments.’
‘The Red Army liberated eastern Europe from the Nazis. The Red Army remained in these to make sure these governments were communist-controlled.’
‘In Romania the King, in 1945, was forced by the USSR to appoint a communist Prime Minister. This quickly resulted in a communist takeover and in 1947 the monarchy was abolished.’
‘In Hungary in November 1945 free elections were help and the non-communists won the most seats. In August 1947 fresh elections were held. These were rigged to ensure total communist control. All other parties were banned.’ OR
‘In Greece the communists were not successful. They fought a civil war against the royalists supported by Britain and the USA. Stalin stuck by his promise not to support the Greek communists.’
‘Yugoslavia was not liberated by the Red Army. Instead its own communist resistance leader, Tito, set up a government and was elected President. Yugoslavia became a communist state but would not accept Stalin’s orders.’

29. Plenary
With your partner, explain how the West saw the Russian takeover of Eastern Europe.
What are Salami tactics?
Challenge – Was Stalin wrong? refer to the evidence…